Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy performance upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and simply shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying extraordinary customer care, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is simple: we want to make solar simple and economical every action of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a way of life, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer support knowledge to produce SUNTEX where “the customer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with outstanding customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, despite race or background, and that our people would require a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of challenges. Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our truthful values. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it right however to be honest. While others may take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a new client called Angela to us. During our initial visit, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to your house to lower energy intake, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home needed a bigger a/c unit, plus additional ducts to disperse the AC evenly throughout your house. We likewise told her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might qualify for a lower rate of interest than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to progress and was, in truth, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
During the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and evaluations were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the house owners that we check out are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or separated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of offered loan programs. We require to offer more individuals with opportunities to embrace sustainable energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our development in this market, and providing us the opportunity to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and objective to assist others, even if it indicates leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d love to satisfy to talk about possible partnership chances.
Exists anything else you would like to show ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have actually supplied. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To learn more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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